Sciences

Science Department

Our goal is to offer diversified science courses that are relevant
and provide students the knowledge and experience to pursue further
studies in the sciences or simply participate in a modern society
dominated by science and technology. Our emphasis is on an understanding
of modern scientific methodologies, including current methods of
scientific experimentation, as well as up-to-date laboratory techniques
and equipment. A particular effort is made to offer transferable courses
for the various vocational programs at SCC and to science programs of
the regional academic institutions throughout the Northwest.

The Science Department at SCC seeks to encourage an attitude of discovery and
critical analysis along with a genuine interest in the sciences. We
strive to offer a wide variety of introductory and second-year college
science courses that not only challenge students' traditional views of
science, but build the scientific skills that create a sound foundation which students will
use when viewing the world around them.

SCC offers a variety of day and evening biology courses designed to satisfy A.A.
and A.A.S. degree requirements. Most offerings are transferable to area four-year
colleges; however, specific questions on transferability should be directed to
counselors.

All course offerings are subject to change. The college cannot guarantee class offerings,
designated times or specific instructors - as funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an
offering is available.

SCC offers a variety of day and evening chemistry courses designed to
satisfy A.A. and A.A.S. degree requirements. Most offerings are
transferable to area four-year colleges (specific questions on
transferability should be directed to counselors).

All course offerings are subject to change. The college cannot guarantee class offerings,
designated times or specific instructors - as funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an
offering is available.

At SCC we offer day and night geology classes that satisfy A.A. degree requirements. We
also offer 200-level courses that may be used as liberal arts electives. All of the
geology classes offered at SCC are transferable to area four-year colleges (specific
questions on transferability should be directed to counselors).

The geology lab is located in Room 303 of SCC's new Science Building (Building 27).

All course offerings are subject to change. The college cannot guarantee class offerings,
designated times or specific instructors - as funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an
offering is available.

Geology Pre-Major

Earth Science Pre-Major

Earth Science Degrees and Careers

Earth Sciences Pre-MajorGeology Pre-Major

Program Description

The Science Department at SCC offers courses in the fields of
physical geology, historical geology, environmental geology, and
Pacific Northwest geology. These courses would enable students to
pursue interests in the earth sciences either as a major area of
study, part of the liberal arts curriculum, or to satisfy a broadened
interest of study.

Documents

Earth Science Careers

Employment opportunities in the earth sciences are considerably
varied. A four-year or graduate-level degree in the earth sciences can
lead to careers as science educators at the K/12 and collegiate levels
as well as researchers in a variety of subdisciplines such as
volcanology, marine geology, paleontology, seismology, tectonics,
mineralogy, hydrology, soils, engineering geology, and geologic
hazards. Earth science careers within industry include natural
resource exploration and development (minerals and energy), and
numerous options in the field of environmental assessment and
remediation. Public agency positions for earth scientists range from
local, city and county to the state and federal levels.

Because of the nature of their work, earth scientists are often
required to travel to unique and diverse locations worldwide;
relocation for job prospects, depending on the branch of earth science
pursued, should be considered. Future employment trends in the earth
sciences will focus on an increasing awareness to environmental
systems including water, soil, and biological resources. The
understanding of pollutants and contamination of earth systems will
continue to be a challenge for future generations.

SCC's new geology laboratory is located in Room 303 of the state-of-the-art Science Building (Building 27) on the SCC campus.
The lab has numerous
displays of mineral, rock, and fossil specimens.

Geology Lecture Series

Each year the SCC Science Department presents the Geology Lecture Series, four evening
presentations addressing general topics in the earth sciences. The Geology Lecture Series
brings in noted scientists from around the United States and Canada, to speak on subjects
of popular appeal. Each presentation is free and the public is welcome. Videos of previous
GLS presentations are available in the SCC Instructional Media Lab
(533-8085), located within the SCC Learning Resources Center, Building 16.

This is an all-day field excursion by deluxe bus to the Pend Oreille Valley and Kalispell Indian Reservation. It will be led by
Gene Kiver, Jack Nisbet, and Bruce Bjornstad. For additional information, email lindakl@centurytel.net
or call 509-235-4251.

Winter 2012

January 30, 2012, 7 PMCataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods
Dr. Scott Burns, Portland State University

Scott Burns is a Professor of Geology at Portland State University and
coauthor (with John Allen and Marjorie Burns) of the acclaimed book, Cataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods. He will be
presenting on the topic from the most recent edition. This story never gets old and if you have ever heard Scott speak, you know this
presentation will be an exciting ride!

2010-2011 Schedule

The Ice Age Floods Institute, Cheney-Spokane Chapter, sponsored this public lecture
by Charles T. Luttrell, Washington State Parks Archaeologist. Luttrell spoke about numerous fossils that were recovered during the late 1870s from natural
springs located within the northern Palouse Hills - an area mostly bypassed by the many Glacial Lake Missoula outburst floods. Columbia mammoths are the best
known specimens, but other species include bison, antelope, and deer. Some spring locales also contained prehistoric artifacts. The Palouse Hills sub-region
is a unique environment whose potential to contain extinct fauna and other discoveries is largely unrealized.

January 19, 2011, 7 PMMy Mineralogical and Geological Lessons Learned from a Decade of Asbestos Issues in
Libby, Montana
Dr. Mickey Gunter, University of Idaho

Dr. Mickey Gunter spent a decade researching the geology and asbestos
mineralogy of the Libby vermiculite deposit in Libby, Montana. During that time, Gunter was involved with the ongoing litigation associated
with health issues experienced by miners (and their families) exposed to asbestos minerals at the now-closed mine. This presentation
focused on research efforts by Dr. Gunter and his students to recognize and "fingerprint" the Libby vermiculite (and asbestos) and to provide
sound mineralogical and geological information to ongoing asbestos issues in the Libby area.

Internationally renowned mineral photographer Jeffrey Scovil
presented a spectacular visual slideshow on wonders of the mineral kingdom; photo images guaranteed to reveal the beauty and complexities of
minerals. This vivid and close-up presentation examined unique and beautiful crystal specimens from all over the world.

Chris Langdon is an Associate Professor of marine biology and fisheries
at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. His primary research looks at the biology of corals and
coral reef complexes and how reefs respond to global changes to tropical marine ecosystems. In this presentation, Dr. Langdon will do an
overview of reef systems worldwide and how reefs are responding to various changes presently occurring in the world's oceans.

Location: SCC Lair Auditorium, Building 6, Spokane Community College

2009-2010 Schedule

Travel across various mountainous and arctic
regions on an adventure researching the beautiful world of tundra flowers and plants. Dr. DeChaine's research investigates
the role of ice-age climate cycles on the development of tundra plant evolution and diversity along with what changes are
presently being observed as a result of today's warming global conditions. In this presentation, see beautiful landscapes
and scenery and even more spectacular plant life that developed in some of the world's harshest climate regions.

Lectures From Previous Years

The planet is presently experiencing the "collapse"
of a major geo/ecosystem. Loss of the Arctic (seasonal) summer ice cover will have profound and negative effects to Arctic
ecosystems (ocean and land) as well as to subsistence populations. Observations and measurements (2007 record low year)
are causing scientists to rethink the rates of Arctic ice loss due to global warming; rates of warming, glacial and
permafrost degradation are accelerating faster than believed just five years prior. This talk presents the most recent
research in the Arctic and observations being made by glaciologists and atmospheric scientists working in the Arctic
regions.

Marty Zajanc began with nothing in Alaska but the desire to
follow beauty, detour for adventure, and
search for the hidden path of knowledge. Ten years later, after nine different treks and seven months
of travel, he walked into Barrow, completing a 3,000 mile serpentine journey across one of the last
great wilderness areas on the planet. He was smiling....

Location: SCC Lair Student Auditorium, Building 6, Spokane Community College

The science of physics seeks to understand the physical universe and deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the most fundamental
level. By observation, physicists search for the basic principles that explain natural phenomena. The concepts of physics overlap many
disciplines. Knowledge of physics provides a strong background for careers in science, engineering, computer technology, or education.

All course offerings are subject to change. The college cannot guarantee class offerings,
designated times or specific instructors - as funding levels and student interest may affect whether or not an
offering is available.

There are several reasons, apart from the obvious reason for a career, that one should take physics.

Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences.

Physics is concerned with the most basic building blocks of all things; from
quarks to the solar system. The study of physics means trying to find out what the universe is made of, and how these things move and interact
with each other. So in one sense, all the other sciences are built on the knowledge gained through the study of physics. Physics is the
foundation of all sciences.

Physics is beautiful.

Physicists love simplicity. They are constantly striving to find the most fundamental ideas that can
be used to describe even the most complex of phenomena. For example, how do we propel a rocket such that it no longer feels the earth's
gravity? Or, how does a train stretched three miles long keep itself on the tracks without slipping? Newton found that only a very small
number of concepts could be used to describe just about the entire mechanical world; from steam engines to the motion of the planets. Not
only is this beautiful, it's downright amazing!

Physics teaches you to think.

This might seem like a strange statement. The technique of physics includes intellectual
approaches to problem solving with methods universal to all science. Physics training develops the skills necessary for the proper analysis
and handling of observations and data that is needed in all the other sciences.

Physics is a creative subject.

The concepts of physics do not come easily. Someone has to come up with a theory to begin
with. This is just as much a creative process as composing music. But where physics, and science in general, differ from the Arts is that
no one will accept your theory unless you have some way of testing its validity. For example, how do you tell that there is a planet
orbiting a star that is so far away that it appears as nothing more than a spec of light in even the most powerful telescopes?

Physics discovers and explains mysteries.

How do you convince someone that there exists a region in the universe called
a "black hole," which swallows virtually everything that comes close to it? Not even quantum of light will ever come back once swallowed?

Physics gives you a new appreciation of the world around you.

You can look at a rainbow and say "wow, pretty colors!",
or you can marvel at the amazing interactions between photons and electrons that come together in that particular way when light from the
sun strikes spherical water droplets in the sky, and that you perceive as a multicolored arc suspended in the air. Now that's awe!

Physics is fulfilling.

Lastly, studying physics gives you the opportunity of playing with a lot of really fun stuff.
The lab equipment and experiments are fun. It is the human desire to be unique above all creatures and physics offers this desire in
ways based on research and technological developments.

Physics students may select a career in a wide range of scientific and technical fields. Students should bear in mind that most of
these career areas require education or training beyond the Associate of Science degree. Depending on the career plans of the student,
the Physics emphasis will be at the general physics or the college physics level.

The Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in Physics prepares the student to pursue university studies leading to a bachelor's degree.
The basic AS program, at the general physics level, prepares students for further education in fields such as biology, medicine, or secondary
education. Students seeking a bachelor's degree in fields such as physics, engineering, or computer science will require the more advanced
mathematics and physics.
Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check the specific degree plan requirements of their intended major.

Career fields available to the physics student include:

Aerospace Technology

Astronomy

Biophysics

Chemistry

Computer Science

Elementary or Secondary Education

Engineering Civil, Electrical, Industrial or mechanical

Geophysics

Hydrogeology

Medicine

Radiology

Pharmacy

Research Scientist

Meteorology

Patent Law

Physics

General Physics Level

Students seeking degrees in biology or pre-medicine should select general physics courses.

University Physics Level

Students seeking advanced degrees in science and engineering fields should select the general physics level courses and advanced
level physics and mathematics courses (such as the courses listed below) for the AS degree.